I found the writing style somewhat brash at first and I wasn't sure if I'd make it to the end. However, I warmed to it and finished the book quickly. Its short chapters help the story to lick along at a fast pace. I didn't count the number of setbacks the hero encountered but there were lots. Overall, this is an entertaining off-the-wall spy story with a satisfying end.

Told from the viewpoint of 17- the killer for hire who has to kill 16- his retired (off the face of the earth) predecessor.
With a slightly Bourne/Bond feel to it the story follows 17 in his attempts to kills 16 only to find out that all is not as it seems!
Loved it!

I really enjoyed this novel,
Although the subject matter of an assassin going rogue has been done before, this was a much more personal account and it really worked.
Still high octane with occasional twists, the pacing is excellent and the writing style engaging.

17 is the number of the world’s most successful and deadliest assassin. He is the latest in a long line of assassins with obviously sixteen before him. Assassin 16 retired; unusual; we don’t know why but eventually 17 is sent to find and neutralize him. That’s when all hell breaks loose.
A great read with fast paced action throughout. I hope we will be seeing more from John Brownlow in the future.

What a roller coaster of a book. It is a real thriller with very interesting characters. Sadly it’s not very believable but I enjoyed it none the less

This was a fun little read - a thriller that, whilst not bringing anything new to the table, certainly feels like a summer read. You know the sort, sitting by the beach, a couple of drinks and an airport read in your hand. That's this novel. The plot is fast, the characters fleshed out and fun, the ending a little more than hoaky but it's okay as it's lightweight fun. This reminds me of series like Reacher and Orphan X but the homage is worth it - a fun read if you're looking for something light for the evening!

A blockbuster movie oozes out of every page.

When Netgalley offered me an ARC of Seventeen, I only needed to read the first paragraph of the blurb to jump on it. But what to say, that won't spoil it for others?

We open on Seventeen, an assassin-for-hire, on the way to his latest job. By the time we get there, we've had a potted resume, a primer on firearms, international espionage, and electronic surveillance. By page 12, we're ready for action, and boy, does that action arrive. A job well planned and well executed. Mostly. Our man is clearly a professional. But Seventeen is so-named because there were sixteen other professionals before him. And one day, there will be an Eighteen.

Soon things really hot up as another job arrives before the last one has ended. From there, we quickly move through a series of events which see Seventeen on possibly the most important job of his career when he is ordered to find and kill his predecessor. Soon a chase turns into something even more sinister.

The book is related in first-person, and plays like the voice-over of a film noir classic. Full of background detail, it's the definition of a rollercoaster. The author clearly has done his research. He's a film director, and it shows in the non-stop, scene by scene action. Not always a good thing, but in this case, its the perfect method.

This is apparently the first of a series of books following the adventures of Seventeen and I can't wait for the next instalment.

For fans of Len Deighton, Robert Ludlum and DL Marshall. Highly recommended.

I am grateful to Hodder Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC, an excellent story about Seventeen, an assassin whose life gets highly complicated when he encounters Sixteen. The mystery lies in the two of them trying to figure out why?

I thoroughly enjoyed a well written and excellent plot, its characters and the scenarios developed. The story is an easy read and one that I did so so very quickly.

The conclusion is worthy of a five-star read, and it may surprise you!

I am now a confirmed John Brownlow fan and would highly recommend it to lovers of thrillers.

What an amazing book!
The book is super exciting and would love to read more from the author!

Thankyou netgalley for the ARC!

Unable to put this book down. Binge read from first to last page. No spoilers therefore only able to reveal a complex thriller of security agencies, spies, and assassins . Last assassin standing given the next number indicating best of the best only when the penultimate assassin no longer exists. A convoluted plot line where instructions to kill give no indication of who, why or where. Names and identities no longer clarify anything but subterfuge. And the reader is now on the trail of mystery, murder and absolute carnage. Violence is the bread and butter of these isolated and damaged individuals trained to kill not to feel. A conclusion that blows apart each and every previous scenario giving a worthy ending to a 5 star read from an incredibly gifted author sitting at the top of his game and this genre. Many thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to luxuriate in the total pleasure of this ARC.

This was a quick, fun read (though slightly gory) and perfect for fans of the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz. It felt a little like a screenplay so was not surprised to see the author has written a few or that it has been optioned for a movie, it's perfect for an action flick.

Last man standing indeed. A spy novel that has an anti hero you want to like but. He kills for a living and has studied hard to be the best in his field. Even finding a mentor amongst the low lifes he is kin to in his work, who teaches him more. But is he the best? What happened to 16? And thereby hangs the storyline.
I was intrigued and needed to get to the end to find out who did what to whom and why.
Not a book for nighttime reading.

This fast paced thriller will translate incredibly well to screen, with a morally grey anti-hero at its centre that had charmed me into rooting for him despite a very dubious profession. It ticked along so quickly that I struggled to keep up with all the developments in plot, but a small cast of characters made this easier to follow. Like a darker James Bond, there is plenty of violence, jet setting and double crossing. It will be interesting to see if there is a second book to start this as a series, as I anticipate this will be incredibly popular!

An assassin that lets life get very complicated for himself. A great thriller written on a less desirable job and the troubles that come with it, a good read was fast paced and kept my interests

I really enjoyed Seventeen. I found I was hooked in relatively early and the held throughout. It is written in a fairly knowing style and with enough clues that you can figure out along the way.

I found the eponymous narrator was clever enough to survive as Seventeen but not clever enough not to make mistakes, an interesting juxtaposition. Everywhere he goes people are not what they seem and also clever enough to work him out.

Good exciting book, has a sort of mission impossible cinematic quality. Not one to read with younger folks, it can be a bit brutal and graphic . Definately one for adults who like spy / chase sort of thrillers.

A thoroughly enjoyable rip roaring thriller. It's a break neck high-octane adventure as two contract killer's go up against each other. The mystery lies in the two of them trying to figure out why .
It's not Shakespeare, so check
It out on the beach and enjoy.

He's 17, 'Jones', American, obnoxious, kills with audacity, he's the best, top of his game, a gun for hire usually by the security services, unofficially of course. To keep us safe. Naturally. However, an assignment in Berlin is not his finest hour, have we witnessed a chip in his titanium armour? He has another job, his target the one who came before him - 16. Is there an 18 trying to ride his coat tails? Are his days numbered? He enters the gladiatorial arena, it's a fight to the death.... but who is the Emperor giving the thumbs up or down?

If you want to grab a readers attention authors could do worse than look at how John Brownlow does it. Yanked in by a chain! I love the tone, there's a wry, dry humorous tone in the beginning which I really appreciate although things alter later on when things go Pete Tong and 17 is operating in, lets say, an improvised manner.

It's most definitely a thriller, in places it's movie worthy and it would not be PG. The plot is fast paced throughout and what emerges is unbelievably believable! You feel as if the author writes with authority, he seems to have the knowledge of the more covert agencies (maybe even an ex operator???) so you can definitely buy into the 'truth' at the heart of the novel. Let's face it we've all been duped one way or another by our governments from time to time!. It's action packed and how, it's vivid, it has multiple twists and turns as a dangerous cat ( a big one, not domestic!) and mouse game emerges, then alliances form of expediency. The chapters are short and sharp, it's full of tension and frequently the chapters end on cliff hangers.

As 17's backstory emerges and you learn his raison d'etre, you know you shouldn't root for him but you do have much sympathy.

Overall, an exciting thriller and I look forward to reading more by this author.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Excellent story about an assassin whose life gets extremely complicated when he encounters sixteen. Well written and excellent plot, highly recommended to lovers of thrillers.

Very enjoyable read.

Got my interest from the start and kept it thoughout.

Well written and quite intriguing at times.